My name is Leonard Neiderman, I am only 17 years old. I live in Austria-Hungary and I love my country. I was only a young farm boy, that didn't know very much. Growing up my father always told me to do what was right. So when my country went to war, I thought fighting in the war was what would be right.
In 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary announced he was giong to visit Sarajevo. When he announced he was going to visit Sarjevo, this made many Serbs nationalist angry. A terrorist group called the "Black Hand" killed the Archduke and his wife. After the assassination, Austria sent Serbia an ultimatum. Serbia did not meet all the demands of Austria. So Austria declared war on Serbia. This was the beginning of my life as I know of it today. Going into the war I had faith in my country. I knew Austria-Hungary was going to win the war.
When the Archduke of Austria-Hungary was assassinated, my country was devastated. We were all very angry with Serbia. To avoid war, said the ultimatum, Serbia must end all Austrian aggravation and punish any Serbian official involved in the murder of the Archduke. It must even let Austria join in on the investigation. Serbia agreed to some of the requirements but not all, therefore giving my country the opportunity to declare war on Serbia. Austria-Hungary had a couple different war plans. The first plan was considered the most concentrated. It sent three armies to invade Serbia and Montenegro,while three other armies took their positions in Galicia against a possible Russian attack. The second plan which was put into effect on 1 August concentrated four armies against Russia on the Galician frontier, and only two against the Serbians. This was the poster that helped me make my decision to join the war. This poster was designed to recruit soldiers through the draft.It used the patriotic symbols of a man holding a gun and emotional appeals because they said they needed me to join the war. Since I love my country it made me feel like the reallyneeded me.
Russia's exit out of the war helped my country. Russia was an enemy country, and them leaving the war was a great help to us. But when the United States entered the war it all went down hill from there. We started loosing dramatically. They were allies with the opposing side. We all lost the hope of winning the war soon after they entered. I wish the United States would of stayed neutral, mainly because the were completely across the ocean.
Wow, Christmas Day was a day I think I will never forget. I woke up that morning thinking it would be a usual day of fighting and shooting at the enemy. Until I looked up over the trench to find our enemys walking straight for us, telling my fellow soilders and I that they just wanted to spend christmas with us. At first we were sceptic about it. But soon we realized that they were not trying to bombard us in any way. We sat down and started talking about our families, friends, and hobbies back home. I met a man from the other side that grew up on a farm like I did. We sat there and talked for hours telling storys about on the farm and stuff. He was a nice man. But he was stuck in the war for the same reason I was, we loved our country.
The allies pretty much forced Germany to sign the Treaty of Versailles. Since Germany signed the treaty they took full blame for starting the war. This also forced Germany to pay large amounts for reparations. This cost Germany around $30 billioin dollars. This also limited the sized of the once feared German military. This made our side of the war smaller. Austria-Hungary was on the same side as Germany. Since they lost the war, we lost the war also. There wasn't much we could do to convince Germany not to sign it.
The ride home was unbearable. We were all so excited to get back but it was such a long, boring trip. None of us knew what was going to be left of our country or if our families were going to be there or even if they were alive. During the war we sort of lost all contact with our homes. When we finally reached home it was a huge sigh or relief. Our country was still there and all of our families. Walking back to my farm I started to break down in tears. I was so happy. The first thing I saw was the cows, I never knew I could miss an animal so much. I ran straight to my mother and father and gave them a huge hug. I was so happy to be home, I don't plan on ever leaving again.
My name is Leonard Neiderman, I am only 17 years old. I live in Austria-Hungary and I love my country. I was only a young farm boy, that didn't know very much. Growing up my father always told me to do what was right. So when my country went to war, I thought fighting in the war was what would be right.
In 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary announced he was giong to visit Sarajevo. When he announced he was going to visit Sarjevo, this made many Serbs nationalist angry. A terrorist group called the "Black Hand" killed the Archduke and his wife. After the assassination, Austria sent Serbia an ultimatum. Serbia did not meet all the demands of Austria. So Austria declared war on Serbia. This was the beginning of my life as I know of it today. Going into the war I had faith in my country. I knew Austria-Hungary was going to win the war.
When the Archduke of Austria-Hungary was assassinated, my country was devastated. We were all very angry with Serbia. To avoid war, said the ultimatum, Serbia must end all Austrian aggravation and punish any Serbian official involved in the murder of the Archduke. It must even let Austria join in on the investigation. Serbia agreed to some of the requirements but not all, therefore giving my country the opportunity to declare war on Serbia.
This was the poster that helped me make my decision to join the war. This poster was designed to recruit soldiers through the draft.It used the patriotic symbols of a man holding a gun and emotional appeals because they said they needed me to join the war. Since I love my country it made me feel like the really needed me.
Russia's exit out of the war helped my country. Russia was an enemy country, and them leaving the war was a great help to us. But when the United States entered the war it all went down hill from there. We started loosing dramatically. They were allies with the opposing side. We all lost the hope of winning the war soon after they entered. I wish the United States would of stayed neutral, mainly because the were completely across the ocean.
The allies pretty much forced Germany to sign the Treaty of Versailles. Since Germany signed the treaty they took full blame for starting the war. This also forced Germany to pay large amounts for reparations. This cost Germany around $30 billioin dollars. This also limited the sized of the once feared German military. This made our side of the war smaller. Austria-Hungary was on the same side as Germany. Since they lost the war, we lost the war also. There wasn't much we could do to convince Germany not to sign it.
The ride home was unbearable. We were all so excited to get back but it was such a long, boring trip. None of us knew what was going to be left of our country or if our families were going to be there or even if they were alive. During the war we sort of lost all contact with our homes. When we finally reached home it was a huge sigh or relief. Our country was still there and all of our families. Walking back to my farm I started to break down in tears. I was so happy. The first thing I saw was the cows, I never knew I could miss an animal so much. I ran straight to my mother and father and gave them a huge hug. I was so happy to be home, I don't plan on ever leaving again.